After School Childcare Scheme

Information for Childcare Practitioners

The subsidised after-school child care scheme is a new initiative, financed through the Department of Social Protection and managed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The scheme provides support to low-income and unemployed to take up a job; increase their hours of employment; or take up a place on a Community Employment Programme or Tús Initiative.

For more infomration on the new After School Childcare Scheme please click on the link below:

Information for Parents

Am I eligible for this scheme?
You may meet the criteria if:

you are currently getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or;
you are a One Parent Family recipient who leaves the payment to take up employment;
you have been getting Jobseeker’s Allowance (or a combination of One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Allowance) for at least 3 months ;
you have one or more children aged between 4 and 13 who are of primary school age and
you either start a new job; or increase the hours you currently work; or start a Community Employment (CE) Programme or Tús Initiative

Please Note: Self-employed people who are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance are not eligible for the after-school child care scheme.

Eligibility does not guarantee a place. Places are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. The scheme is not open to self-employed JA recipients.

How do I access a place?
To apply for the subsidised after-school childcare scheme, contact your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Office. You will be provided with information and a form for completion by your employer.

Return this form to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Office where, if you are eligible, you will be provided with a letter confirming your eligibility and the amount of after-school childcare that you require.

You will then need to complete an application/declaration form. These can be obtained from your local CCC, or the DSP, Fás and VEC

Your local LCRS will connect you with local childcare providers in your area.

Monaghan County Childcare Committee allocate places on a first come-first served basis, up to a maximum number of places available.

What type of After School place am I entitled to?
If you are eligible and there are place available, you will be offered a subsidised after-school childcare place for each eligible child that you have.

If you need part-time after-school childcare, you will be offered a place for 3 days per week at a subsidised rate of €12 per week, which you pay directly to the childcare provider.

If you need full-time after-school childcare, you will be offered a place for 5 days per week at a subsidised rate of €20 per week, which you pay directly to the childcare provider.

The amount payable by you will not vary during school holidays. Where full-time childcare is required during the holidays, the additional cost will be funded by the scheme.

The after-school childcare subsidised by the scheme must be at least three hours a week and can be agreed between you and the childcare provider.

About Us

Monaghan County Childcare Committee promotes the development and delivery of accessible and affordable high quality early childhood care and education services which assist the overall developmental needs of children and supports parents and childcare service providers throughout County Monaghan.